February 1985
Steve couldn't believe he was actually sitting again in Billy Hargrove's car. A lot had happened since December, and Steve still wasn't completely sure how to feel about this all. For awhile he stayed away from Billy, avoiding him like the plague. When Billy confronted him, they talked, and then there was that night at the gym after hours... He was confused, scared, curious, and more than a little on edge about anyone finding out, still he truly couldn't stop thinking about Billy. Whenever he felt his eyes on him at school, or in the school parking lot, he felt that same strange fluttering and twisting feeling in the bottom of his stomach. A huge part of himself was absolutely terrified, so scared that the feelings he had weren't just out of fear, but pure excitement. Today, he had finally found himself alone with Billy while in the locker rooms.
It was here that Billy asked if he wanted to meet up later and "hang". Steve found himself transfixed in Billy's blue eyes, before his eyes drifted to his Hawkins gym issued T-shirt. The sleeves rolled up over his large tanned biceps. Without so much as a thought, Steve agreed. Billy had picked him up and Steve was thankful that his parents were too busy entertaining company in the dinning room to even care in asking where he was going tonight? Instead, Steve spent the last half an hour fixing his hair, and nervously staring at his reflection in his bathroom window. Rolling his eyes over how stupid he was being, he nearly jumped when he heard the horn outside. Quickly he grabbed his jacket, and hurried down the stairs, racing to the door, before casting one last glance over his shoulder, seeing the light spilling in from the dinning room, and the faint sounds of one of his father's jazz records, as well as laughter. Shrugging on his jacket, he grabbed his keys from the table near the door, and stepped outside. Any feeling of the skin numbing night cold vanished the second he laid eyes on Billy's car. He saw the headlights cutting through the darkness of the driveway, and the faint sound of his radio playing from within the car. Taking a deep breath, he climbed down the front steps, and walked across his cobble stone driveway towards the Camaro.
Mentally preparing himself, he told himself that they were just going for a drive. Nothing weird about that. Just two guys hanging out on a Friday. Billy and him ran roughly in the same social circles, but this year Steve had really stopped partying, and truly "enjoying" his senior year like so many of his other asshole friends. Still, he saw Billy nearly every day at school. They had two of the same classes as well as gym. While Billy mostly didn't say anything, sitting in the back, always casting him glances whenever the bell rang from his seat. Steve always caught him staring, sometimes he would smirk, or raise his eyebrows. There was always a playful glimmer in his eyes, and Steve found himself actually enjoying whenever he reached for his backpack, hurrying to his next class, talking with his friends. Whenever he would glance back, he would always find Billy still sitting, never in a hurry to move or collect his things. Instead he would always find him staring at him. He was sure if anyone else noticed they would think that Hargrove was just busting Steve's balls. Everyone had heard about something going down between the two of them, which explained Steve's busted lip and black eye the following school day. Steve didn't say anything, but he had been asked by nearly everyone how he got it.
He had heard vague rumors that when asked, Billy simply shrugged, and said that Harrington and him got into some shit, and that Steve actually really was kicking his ass for awhile before he got the upper hand, after that they called a truce, and were officially over their bullshit until further notice. As far as anyone else knew, Billy was still keg king, and quickly becoming one of the most popular "bad boys" at school. Steve meanwhile since his breakup with Nancy was hanging out with middle school kids, and rarely going to any parties. He shrugged off the remarks, and still kept busy at school, but more than often he would find some excuse in not really hanging out with anyone. Billy still ragged on him in gym. He always was up to playing basketball and kicking his ass when called for. They mostly only spoke during this class period they only had three times a week. Here he would find Billy, usually in just his gym shorts, or some tight skin clinging T-shirt. They didn't always play together, but whenever the coach tossed out the basketballs they would play. Only a few times Billy would be on the same team as Steve. Here Steve would catch him glancing at him, or wagging his tongue and taunting him. Whenever he was against him, he seemed jeeped up, and full of anger, like a predator enjoying toying with its prey. In the showers, Steve tried focusing on getting in and out, ignoring any remarks made by Billy, calling him "Pretty boy" or "King Steve". He would playfully harp on his basketball skills, all the while staring at him with those loudly blue eyes. Steve felt Billy's eyes on him whenever he showered, and couldn't believe that it actually didn't make him uncomfortable like he had right after the quarry.
No, much like the looks he got from Billy in class, or locking eyes in the parking lot, this brought those strange twisting excited feelings that seemed to be buzzing through his whole body. Just the other day he had to focus as hard as he could to make the first few twitches of an erection starting when his eyes happened to linger over Billy's body beneath the falling water beside him one day. Quickly cutting the water off, not even bothering to soap up, he blocked out whatever recent Tommy H gossip he was listening to and march to his lockers to grab his clothes. While changing, he stared and saw Billy watching him, a faint look of amusement over his eyes, actually enjoying this. Then the night at the gym after practice, and so Billy confronted him in the side alley next to the gym. They talked, and finally Steve agreed to see him again. They arranged tonight, and after Steve gave Billy his number and address, he saw that same childish glee flicker in his eyes as he smiled and wagged his tongue at him. "I'll see you tonight then pretty boy." With the he turned and walked to his car just as Max was wheeling on over to his car. Watching, Steve couldn't believe how natural this actually felt. Sure it was absolutely terrifying, but he felt as if this somehow came easier than it had all those times before with these stupid Hawkins High girls. Tonight for the first time in what seemed like forever, he was actually really nervous. Yet, this was a different kind of nervous...this was as much as he hated to admit it...pure excitement. Walking over, he took one last glance over his shoulder at his house, before turning and opening the passenger side door. The music blasted out, as did the scent of pine tree air freshener and cologne.
Feeling the warmth from the heater, he smiled before climbing in. Billy was sitting behind the wheel wearing what he believed was the same exact outfit he had on the night he kicked his ass at Will and Jonathan's. He had on an open wine red shirt, completely unbuttoned despite the freezing cold outside. He also had on tight blue jeans, and a brown leather jacket. He was smoking a cigarette before smiling and putting it out in the ashtray. The second Steve sat back in the black leather seat, he looked over at Billy who reached and turned the volume down on the radio slightly.
"Hey there."
Steve felt his stomach again get that strange feeling as he stared at Billy. For just a fraction of a second, Steve thought back to that night after practice in the gym. Ripping those images away, Steve felt his cheeks blush, and instantly felt embarrassed. Trying his hardest to play it cool, he smirked and locked eyes with Billy. Finding himself at a loss of words, he let out a deep breath.
"Hey."
Billy grinned, almost as if he had been reading his mind.
"Let's go Harrington."
With that, he put his car in gear, and laid on the gas. The sound of the tires burning rubber was faintly heard over the music and roar of the engine. Speeding out down the dark road, headlights cutting through the darkness, Steve glanced and saw that Billy was nearly going eighty. Feeling Billy's eyes on him, he glanced over for a second and found him staring right back at him. Quickly looking away, he heard Billy chuckle as he drummed his fingers against the steering wheel.
"Don't worry princess, I won't kill us."
Steve let out a half nervous laugh, before Billy took the next turn. Feeling his stomach flip by the sensation of sitting at this speed, he watched the trees on each side of the dark back road rush past them in the darkness. Sitting there, Steve tried to think of something to say next, but instead Billy spoke again.
"I'm gonna swing by the mini-mart. I got a connection with the dude who works nights and score us a six-pack, sound good?"
Steve glanced at him before shrugging, trying so hard to just play it cool.
"Yeah sure man whatever..."
He heard Billy chuckle again. The Camaro continued to speed down the road before Steve saw the lights of the mini-mart sign ahead. This was the store closest to his house where he usually grabbed a soda on the way back home from school. Billy shifted gears, and Steve stole another glance in his direction. He honestly couldn't believe how smooth of a driver Billy was. He sat back relaxed, one hand draped over the wheel, the other lightly tapping at the thigh of his jeans. Finding himself smiling, he watched as Billy pulled behind the mini-mart and parked. Killing the engine, the music cut out before Billy reached in his leather jacket and produced a ten dollar, and five dollar bill. Handing the money over, Steve stared at the two bills confused.
"What?"
Billy smirked.
"I'm going around front to grab a pack of smokes from the chick who works the register, the guy who stocks the shelfs will see me and knew to go around back and meet us here with the beer, if he comes out before I come back just give him the money."'
Steve nodded taking the money before lifting himself up to grab his wallet in his back pocket.
"Let me split it with you at least..."
Before he could tug his wallet out, Billy's warm hand rested against his arm.
"Don't sweat it princess, my treat."
Steve looked back in his direction to be greeted by Billy smiling, before tapping him a wink. Just like that, Billy opened his door, letting in cold night air.
"Be right back..."
He slammed the door, and Steve watched him disappear around the building from the rearview mirror. Alone now, Steve felt his heart begin to hammer in his chest. He honestly didn't know what Billy had in store for them tonight, but he had a strong feeling something was gonna happen, and in all honestly, Steve was more than a little excited to see what. Breathing deeply, he rubbed his sweaty palms against his jeans, still holding the crumpled money.
"Get it together Steve...come on now."
He said to himself. Breaking him out of his thoughts just seconds later was the sound of the rear door near the dumpster open up, revealing the stock boy holding a six pack, and carefully looking around. Nodding, Steve opened his door, before standing up, feeling the cold bite against his skin. Nodding to the guy over the roof of the car, he circled around and handed the money over.
"Here you go man."
"Thanks, have a good night!"
Steve took the beer and thanked him, before the guy went back inside closing the door behind him. Walking back around the car, he opened his door, and leaned in playing the six pack onto the floor. That's when he heard his name and froze.
"Harrington?"
Steve felt a cold bucket of shock hit him, before standing back up and turning. Walking in his direction was Tommy H and Carol. Both had winter jackets on, Tommy's arm around Carol's shoulders, and both walking a little funny. Instantly Steve knew they must have been sampling from Tommy's flask. Knowing he wasn't in the mood for Tommy's bullshit, he sighed remembering in the front parking-lot to this very store Tommy and his friendship in an unspoken way officially ended after that big fight with Jonathan. Sure they still hung out, and ran in the same circles, but ever since that night things seemed different between Tommy and him. Constantly Tommy ragged on him following the whole breakup with Nancy, and now her going with Jonathan. He poked fun at Steve, and seemed to start worshipping Billy the second he arrived at Hawkins High. Steve had taken notice that Billy seemed more annoyed than anything else whenever Tommy tried to leech onto him, as if life depended on being friends with the new "king" of Hawkins High.
Still, they had some classes together, and both kept it friendly, but it honestly had never been the same. Seeing them walk over, he knew Carol's big mouth would result in everyone knowing she saw Steve Harrington and Billy Hargrove hanging out together. Steve took a deep breath and tried to play it cool shoving his freezing hands into his pockets.
"Hey guys." Tommy approached him, before looking confused.
"You hanging with Hargrove?! I thought you two hated each other?!"
Steve shrugged.
"Hey man, life is too hard to stay angry. What are you two up to?"
He wanted them gone right away, praying they were going to say they were on their way downtown or something. He knew this looked completely innocent, but he was completely sure somehow everyone might know the hidden agenda that Billy might have for Steve tonight. Suddenly it felt eighty degrees and Steve broke into a cold sweat as Tommy rambled onto that Tina, his sister was having a little get-together at his house since his parents were out of town again. Steve knew what was coming next, and used everything inside of him not to roll his eyes in annoyance when Tommy spoke.
"Dude, you should swing by with Hargrove, we're planning on doing shots."
Steve knew if he had run into Tommy alone, there wouldn't have been any invitation, which would had been just fine for him. Shrugging Steve stood back.
"I don't know man, maybe I'll see."
Carol glared at Steve, before smiling.
"Hey, you got a prom date yet Steve?"
Steve glanced over, trying not to show how he really felt.
"Not yet Carol, but it's still early."
Carol giggled, squeezing Tommy's waist.
"Maybe you can third wheel with Jonathan and Nancy. Jessica said they look awful cozy lately. Might be fun...three is a crowd."
Before Steve could say anything, Billy's low voice broke through the night air causing him to jump.
"What the fuck did you just say bitch?!"
Steve turned his head and saw Billy approaching, eyebrows drawn down, nostrils flaring as he marched over. Instantly Tommy's face dropped, letting go of Carol and taking a step forward.
"Hey man..."
Billy walked over and stood less than an inch away from Tommy. Being about an inch or so taller than him, he glared down at Tommy, and Steve watched as Tommy lost his nerve. Instantly Tommy dropped his eyes, before giving a small nervous laugh.
"She was just joking..."
Billy continued glaring down at Tommy, before finally Carol hurried over, grabbing his arm. Pulling him back, Steve saw she looked scared.
"Tommy come on..."
"Better get that bitch of yours a leash."
Tommy stared up surprised, before Carol tugged him away again.
"Come on!"
Before Tommy stepped back, Billy tilted his head and stared down at Tommy, locking eyes with him.
"If you bust Harrington's balls again one more time and I hear about it...you're history. Got it?"
Tommy just stared up, looking ten times paler than usual, showing his freckles that were scattered over his face. Billy stepped closer, now almost nose to nose with him.
"I didn't hear you."
Tommy gulped and dropped his eyes.
"Yeah okay fine...sure whatever Hargrove, sorry..."
Billy wouldn't let up, instead he nudged Tommy's sneaker with his boot, enjoying that he was scaring the ever living shit out of him.
"Don't say sorry to me...say it to him."
Tommy glanced up at Steve who watched in awe behind them for just a fraction of a second. He looked not only humiliated, but a completely beaten down little kid who got caught being a bully. Seeing this in Tommy's eyes brought a small smug sense of satisfaction to Steve. Saying nothing, Steve shrugged wanting this to just be over. Billy then shifted his eyes to Carol who looked just as scared.
"And you?"
"Sorry Steve...come on Tommy let's go!"
Carol quickly said before pulling on Tommy's arm, practically dragged him past Billy. Looking over his shoulder, Billy smirked as Tommy and Carol hurried away. Once they were gone from around the building, Billy turned and stared at Tommy.
"You okay?"
Steve glanced in the direction that Tommy and Carol went and suddenly felt a strange anxious feeling overtake him. Sighing, he shook his head feeling more than a little embarrassed. Rolling his eyes, he shrugged.
"Yeah, sorry about that."
Billy took a cigarette from his newly bought pack, before grabbing his zippo lighter.
"They are nothing but small town assholes. Don't sweat it Harrington. Don't worry, they won't say shit anymore."
Steve suddenly felt at a loss for words. Sighing, he nervously chewed on his bottom lip, before nodding.
"Yeah, thanks for that."
Billy tapped him a wink before going around the car and opening his door. It took Steve a second before he got his bearings, and opened up his door and climbed inside. Billy started the engine up with a roar, before backing up, and speeding down the road. Steve sat back, the beer by his feet, as he listened to a Poison song blast from the stereo. Glancing over at Billy, he so badly wanted to say something. Would Tommy and Carol say anything? Did they know something was going on? No, he didn't think so. He thought back on the scared look that filled Tommy and Carol's eyes, and had to smile. He actually felt pretty good right now and had a feeling the constant ragging on, mostly about Nancy and Jonathan was officially over now.
If there was one thing Billy had proved in these past few months at school...nobody messed with him. Hell, Steve himself had even learned that. Just a few months ago he was at Will and Jonathan's house, laying flat on his back, getting absolutely destroyed by Billy's large rock iron fists, sending white hot splintering shards of pain into him before everything became black. Now, here he was sitting next to the same Billy Hargrove who nearly beat him to death. Sitting and driving around with Billy scoring beer like a couple of old pals. Just back there Billy had stood up for him, and durning these last few extremely hard and confusing months, this made him feel wonderful.
Billy took the car down another back farm road, before rolling to a stop on the side of the road. Keeping the engine going for the heat, Billy took a long drag of his smoke.
"This road is closed, nice place to chill and have a few beers without that asshole chief of police running into us."
Steve smirked thinking of Hopper, before Billy reached down and snapped off two cans from the plastic rings. Setting his down between them, he cracked Steve's and handed it to him. Steve took it and smiled.
"Thanks..."
Billy grunted and snapped open his can before taking a big chug. Glancing over him, Steve knew it was now or never.
"Hey Billy...listen...thanks for that back there...really."
Billy gave him a slightly amused look back, nursing his beer, before Steve stared forward knowing he didn't have the guts to really say this looking at him.
"Listen, I know a lot has happened lately...and I think it's clear I'm pretty over my head here in some uncharted waters...but whatever this...is...with us...I like it. I really do."
"Steve?"
Steve glanced over, before Billy grabbed his beer from his hand, and smiled before pressing the button down between them and tossing Steve's still filled can out along with his own. A brief blast of cold car whirled in the car for a second, before Billy put the window back up. Steve stared at him completely puzzled.
"What was that for?"
"So I could do this..."
Before Steve could even think, Billy's hands firmly grasped him by the sides of his face, roughly pulling him forward and plunging his mouth against his in complete and utter surprise. Eyes widening, Steve tasted beer and cigarettes, before suddenly Billy's warm tongue snaked inside his mouth, darting and devouring. Feeling goosebumps break out all over, Steve threw caution to the wind, and responded, wrapping his arms around Billy, and pulling him towards him, hands grasping onto his leather jacket so fierce, they appeared to never want to let go.
Present.
Steve returned home before either of his parents were up. Parking, he carefully got inside and hurried up to his room. Thinking of tonight, he smiled before shuffling to his bathroom to take a nice long shower and relax before his shift started at the mall. Still feeling sore from last night, he briefly thought back to being in Billy's tight backseat. Visions of him flashed before his eyes as Steve smiled and slowly stripped off his clothes. Turning the water on, he tilted his head back, and instantly felt relaxed as the water rolled down his body. Thinking of that weekend at the motel, he wished more than anything that Billy was in here with him right now.
Pressing his open palms against the tile walls, he hung his head down before smiling.
It was at that exact moment that Steve knew that Billy Hargrove had become his soulmate.
The only tragic thing was...he had no idea what little time they had together left.